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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






2. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






3. Repetition of a single tone.






4. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






5. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






6. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






7. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






8. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






9. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






10. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






11. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






12. Unmusical - without tone.






13. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






14. A composition written for nine instruments.






15. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






16. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






17. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






18. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






19. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






20. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






21. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






22. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






23. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






24. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






25. The structure of a piece of music.






26. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






27. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






28. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






29. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






30. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






31. A short piano piece - often improvisational and intimate in character.






32. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






33. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






34. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






35. A direction to play expressively.






36. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






37. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






38. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






39. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






40. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






41. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






42. The principal note of a triad.






43. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






44. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






45. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






46. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






47. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






48. The structure of a piece of music.






49. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






50. Sliding between two notes.